I am compiling a list of smart phone apps that are helpful to people with hearing loss. Thank you to Ed Ogiba from the Hearing Loss Association of Sarasota for starting this list. If anyone knows of others, please let me know and I will add them. Thanks!

Ever get tired of carrying your assisted listening device with you? I do! I often go somewhere thinking, “Oh, I won’t need it in this situation.” Then I get the dirty look from my husband that says, “Why didn’t you bring a listening device?!” Well, I think I found a solution. I always have my iPhone with me. Your iPhone can become a personal amplifier. All you need is an external microphone and a recording or amplifying app.

The Blue Mikey plugs into the charging port of the iPhone. It retails for $99.99 but sells for about $77.00 on Amazon and less on E-Bay. I use it with an app called “Sound AMP R” which is actually a recording app, but also amplifies the sound. Other apps that will work with the Blue Mikey are “EARs” or “U-LISTEN.” You can try these apps without getting an external mic, but I found the sound much better with the Blue Mikey.

Here are some links to learn more about these apps and the Blue Mikey:

The only drawback is that I have to use earphones. I can’t get it to work with my Bluetooth Streamer or an inductive neckloop. There are other microphones that are less expensive (VeriCorder Mini Mic and Brando Mini Capsule Mic), but they plug into the headphone jack. So, unless I figure out how to do this with Bluetooth, those microphones would not be useful.

If anyone is successful in using a Bluetooth or inductive neckloop with these apps, please let me know!